Arts & Culture
Layered Bare Reception, 287 Main Gallery. 2023
SEEC recognizes the power of arts and culture to unite our community, fostering connections through shared appreciation while celebrating the uniqueness of each individual—like distinct tiles in a grand mosaic.
Through strategic partnerships with organizations across Schoharie County, SEEC is committed to creating opportunities for artists of all kinds, encouraging everyone in the community to discover and embrace their creative inspirations.
Gallery at 287 Main
SEEC is proud to open its doors and walls to the local artist community. In collaboration with Schoharie County Arts Council, the SEEC headquarters at 287 Main Street, Schoharie is host to revolving gallery exhibits, featuring 3-4 different artists each year.
287 Main Gallery Exhibit
“THE PATH WILL BEND”
BY AMY SILBERKLEIT & GEORGE DIROLF
Amy Silberkleit’s work is based on the forests, mountains, roads, trails and natural objects found near her home in the Northern Catskills. The extraordinary beauty of the region, the variety of plants, forms and textures, and the dramatic changes from season to season are an inexhaustible source of subjects for her work. She draws detailed landscapes on limestone blocks and hand-prints limited editions in her Gilboa lithography studio. The tonal range made possible by the lithography stone’s fine texture lends itself perfectly to highly detailed representational drawings. Amy has a B.A. in printmaking and a Certificate in Natural Science Art and Illustration from the New York Botanical Gardens, and has studied at the Art Students League in NYC. Her drawings and prints have been exhibited in juried shows, galleries, and museums, including the Arkell Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art Gallery Store and the Albany Institute, which has two of her pieces in its permanent collection.
George is a painter, printmaker, and graphic artist. As a printmaker, he is presently focusing on wood engravings (a 19th century technique of creating images to be printed alongside type—letterpress). He also works in large scale charcoal drawings on mylar, and oil paintings which range from smaller plein air works to larger studio pieces. Inspiration for his work has predominantly been the wild natural places of upstate New York.
Artist Feature
Casey Beal, a textile and fine artist based in Middleburgh, NY who draws inspiration from the flora and fauna of our rural upstate New York environment. Her work, ranging from hand-painted hiking bags to block-printed organic cotton clothing, explores the deep connection between humans and the natural world. Through her art—including community murals, paintings, and illustrations—Casey celebrates the beauty of the outdoors and inspires active preservation.
Casey Beal, a Middleburgh, NY native, earned her BFA in Jewelry/Metals/CAD-CAM and k-12 Art Education certification from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art. As a professional artist and owner of Casey Beal Designs, her work is available online and in various regional shops, farmers’ markets, and juried art shows. This September, a collection of her paintings will be on display at the Schoharie County Arts group show, “Collective Visions: Art of Schoharie County,” at CREATE Gallery in Catskill.
Casey is this year's artist for the New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council Conference, and a 2024 CREATE Arts Education Grant recipient. In 2023, she was a Digital Marketing Grant recipient through one of SEECs Offerings for local entrepreneurs, and has been using this resource to build her business’ online presence, and focus her creative efforts where they will make the most impact. This fall, Casey will teach a Printmaking on Fabric Workshop at Middleburgh High School and a Nature Journaling Workshop through the Schoharie Library. To stay updated on her classes and events, be sure to join her mailing list on her website!
Leslie Yolen
Remnants & Relics Gallery at 287 Main
AHA! A House for Arts features the stories of artists, makers, and creative institutions right here in our backyard and across the country. A celebration of all things creative, AHA! features everything from the traditional to the innovative. Season 10, Episode 14
Explore the dynamic art of Leslie Yolen as she shares her journey from clay masks to captivating totems. Nicole DamaPoleto delves into voice acting, offering tips, challenges, and reflections on authenticity and diversity. Enjoy an enchanting performance by Novus Cantus with their original song, “Sofia.” Leslie Video Segment (0:00–7:06)
Resources
A Schoharie Economic Enterprise Corporation (SEEC) ally, Schoharie County Arts, promotes cultural and arts-related activities, advances individual artists and arts organizations, and contributes to the cultural and economic growth in the County.
Schoharie County’s art community is vibrant with cultural traditions and innovative engagement. From theater to choral groups, painters, singers, instrumentalists, to crafters – Schoharie County has them all. SCA offers a cohesive organization to develop and strengthen the arts through promoting cultural and arts-related activities. Their board of directors is diverse in backgrounds, but has a common goal: To advance individual artists and arts organizations and support arts education, while contributing to the cultural and economic growth of our county.
